Automatic powder-box



(No Model.) I

' I. H. TWINING.

'AUTOMATIC POWDBR BOX. v No. 511,565. Patented Deo. 26, 1893.

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IDA' I-IOUSTON TWINING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC -PQWDER-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 511,565, clated December 26, 1893. Application filed July 16, 1892. Serial No. 440.291. (No model.)

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Be it known that I, IDA HoUsToN TwINING, a citizen of the United States, residiu g at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Automatic Powder-Boxes, which is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l represents a side elevation of my' powder-box and stand, with a tooth-brush under the box in position to receivethe powder. Fig. 2 isia vertical sectional view of the same, taken at the line 2-2,'Fig. 1`. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the powder agitator, removed from the box. Fig. 4= is a bottom view of the box, with its sides broken away.

The object of my invention is to make a box for toilet powder, particularly tooth powder, from which, by lifting a valve, the quantity of powder which it is desired to use will fall through the bottom of the box, upon the tooth-brush or other article which is used in raising the valve.

My invention consists iu the devices and combination of devices hereinafter specifically described and made the subject matter of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the box, provided with a tight cover, B.

This box is of triangular shape, and has atl its bottom an open slot, C. There is in the box what I term a powder agitator, which has an upright shaft or stem, D, to which is attached a weight, E, arms, F, and spiralA flukes, G. It has also'attached to it a valve, H. The shaft or stemD extends through the open slot O in the bottom of the box, A, or a separate piece, I, may be attached to the stem or shaft D and extend through the open slot C. By placing a tooth-brush, J, against the lower end of the proj ection, I, and raising the stem or shaft D in the box, the valve H is raised from the slot C, and the agitator with the arms F and flukes G loosen the powder, and it falls through the open slot C, its entire length, upon the bristles of the brush J, and if any of the powder lodges in the slot O, the valve H forces it out when the agitator is allowed to fall back to its normal position. The agitator in the box prevents the powder from packing, or if iu packs, it will loosen it,

and each time that the agitator is raised there will be .a quantity of powder discharged through the slot O at the bottom of the box. The quantity of powderdischarged each time will depend upon the height to which the agitator is raised; or, if quite a quantity of powder is wanted, the agitator can be raised twice, so that the quantity of tooth-powder which'it is desired to receive upon the toothbrush is obtained.

K, is a bracket rigidly attached to'the base or stand L.

M, is a dish which sets into the base L of the stand to receive any powder thathmay fall from the sides of the tooth-brush.

I have made the flukes G of the powderagitator oblique, for the purpose of more effectually stirring the powder and prevent it from packing. These oblique flukes G are curved in such manner that when the agitator stem to which they are attached is raised;

the weight of the powder on the flukes G will cause the agitator to receive a slightly rotary movement after the valve is raised from the slot in the bottom of the box, and thereby cause the lower part of the flukes to efiectually stir and loosen the powder in the lower part of the box. When theweight on the top of the agitator stem brings the agitator down as the pressure from beneathis removed by the'operator, the slanting sides of the box cause the valve to come back to its seat, and

the flukes also'to assist in partly revolving the agitator, thereby constantly loosening the powder in the bottom of the box. I find this to be the practical operation of the agitator when I place the tooth-brush under the point attached to the lower end of the agitator stem and raise the agitator and allowit to fall back in its place, and I am thus enabled to receive regularly the desired quantity of tooth powder upon the tooth brush wheneverI raise the agitator in the box and allow it to fall back in its place. I

The base L which holds the cup M, may be attached to a bracket K, and made so as to sit on a bureau or dressing table, or the bracket may be of such shape as to be attached to the wall, the form of the bracket being immaterial, provided it has a cup-holder beneath the box.

While my automatic powder-box is more too i especially intended to be used for holding tooth-powder, it can be as readily used for a powder soap-box, 01' any toilet or other powder which it is desired to use in small quantities. This form of box with my improvement enables me to take from the box the qnantity of powder that Iidesire to usewithout in any Way moistening or soiling powder not used. I am also able to use the powder without removing the cover of the box or opening the box, and the powder` remains in the box that is comparatively tight, so that the dust is exclnded as well as the moisture, and the powder is kept as nearly in its normal condition until it is entirely used as possible.

The fiukes and arms of my agitator are such that I am enabled to stir the powder and keepit from packing, and take from the box any desiredquantity I Wish to use.

It is very essential in using tooth-powder to have the 'desired qnantity of powder fall from the box upon the bristles of the toothbrush, and thus avoid the necessity of bringing the brnsh in contact with the powder in the box, or any powder that is not immediately used withthe brnsh.

I-Iaving thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The triangul-ar box A provided with an open slot at its bottom; the agitator-stem or shaft D carrying at'its lower end a valve H adapted to -titinto the open slotat the bo-ttom of the box; said stem or shaft being also provided With cross-arms F which serve to stir the powder in the box and also strike the slanting sides of thebox and serveas guides to the valve H; a weight E attached to the top of the stem or shaft B; and a projecting point projecting through the open slot in the bottom of the box and rigidly connected to the lower end of the stem or shaft D by which the agitator can be raised in the box, when the Weight on the top of the shaft canses the agitator to fall laterally, and the gniding'arms ride up on either side of the box to loosen the powder and cause it to fall through the slot in the bottoln of the box, as specified.

2. The triangular box A provided With an open slot at its bottom; the loose weighted stem or shaft Dof the agitator provided with a narrow valve near its lower` end to fit into the slot at the bottom of the box; spiralfflnkes G attaehed to said loose weighted stern near its' lower end and directly above the valve, said spiral fiukes being adapted to stir the powder in the lower part of the box'directly above the slot, andat the same time partially revolve the agitator whenthe valve is lifted from the slot, and thereby loosen thepowder in the` box; and the projecting point I attached to the lower endof the Weightedstem of' the agitator by which it is raisedby the operator, the weight on the stem retulrningit when the pressure from below is removed, all as specified.

IDA HOUSTON TWINING.

Witnesses:

O. L. CoLE, W. M. CLEvENGI. 

